Chapter 537: Chapter 537: Past Love
After sitting down at the table, Gu Xiangyi’s gaze swept over Song Yuting and Sun Ze’s faces.
Feeling Gu Xiangyi’s sharp, dagger-like eyes, Song Yuting awkwardly laughed.
Sun Ze also tried to smile, nodded at Xu Xiangbei, indicating his willingness to get along, but after struggling for a while, he couldn’t muster a smile, looking more pained than sorrowful.
Gu Xiangyi was amused by Sun Ze’s expression, covering her mouth as she chuckled, "Classmate, your facial expressions are quite complex, I can’t understand them. Dr. Xu, can you read them?"
Xu Xiangbei sneered coldly and ignored Sun Ze. He genuinely disliked this person, not just because he was Song Yuting’s current boyfriend.
Seeing Xu Xiangbei disregard him, Sun Ze suddenly stood up, grabbed the teapot on the table, and respectfully poured a cup of water for Xu Xiangbei and Gu Xiangyi.
Sun Ze nodded and bowed, saying, "Dr. Xu, there’s no blame for the unknowing. I didn’t know you were our lecturer. I apologize for any offense and sincerely ask for your forgiveness."
Since Sun Ze apologized, there was no need for Xu Xiangbei to be overly picky. Xu Xiangbei generously smiled, saying, "Let bygones be bygones."
Although Xu Xiangbei was speaking to Sun Ze, his gaze was aimed at Song Yuting, hinting at deeper meanings.
Song Yuting was a smart girl, and of course, she could sense the nuance in Xu Xiangbei’s words. Since evasion was impossible, she might as well face it directly. She smiled and raised her head: "It’s been a few years; you’ve changed a lot, Xu Xiangbei."
"It’s been four years since graduation from high school, and time is indeed the ultimate sculptor. It’s true."
"You’ve become more handsome than before."
"Really? Haha, you’ve become more beautiful than in high school."
Gu Xiangyi sipped her tea, holding her teacup, her eyes occasionally glancing between Xu Xiangbei and Song Yuting’s faces. Outwardly, she seemed to be enjoying the drama and storytelling, unrelated to her, but inwardly, she sneered, acting as if they are strangers, just ordinary classmates. They can’t fool her; their eyes reveal it’s more than that.
Seeing Gu Xiangyi’s strange expression staring at him, Xu Xiangbei suddenly felt a bit guilty for some reason.
Xiao Qing watched them curiously and excitedly, like enjoying a show from the sidelines.
Even though the small restaurant Poem Hall was full, the speed of serving food was quite fast. Soon, the owner and waiters brought out the ordered dishes.
Gu Xiangyi had hurried all the way from Jiangcheng in her Porsche, only having a small breakfast. Driving was exhausting, and she was already hungry. The food was indeed delicious, earning her praise.
Xiao Qing, becoming a warm-hearted person, suddenly suggested, "Your reunion with old classmates is worth celebrating. How about some drinks?"
Gu Xiangyi slammed the table suddenly: "Great idea, as they say, old friends meet, tears of joy, of course, we must celebrate with drinks."
Seeing Gu Xiangyi insist, Xu Xiangbei smiled wryly, "Then let’s just have a little beer, two bottles should be enough."
Gu Xiangyi immediately rolled her eyes at Xu Xiangbei: "Two bottles for a reunion with old classmates? No way. Boss, bring a case, at least six bottles."
Song Yuting glared at Xiao Qing, regretting bringing her here for a meal. This girl seemed eager for chaos, feeling the scene wasn’t lively enough and wanting to add some excitement with alcohol.
As a few glasses clinked, Gu Xiangyi remarked to Xu Xiangbei, "I think this restaurant’s dishes are better than those at your Emperor’s Pavilion."
Upon mentioning Emperor’s Pavilion, Xu Xiangbei felt quite helpless. The arson, coupled with the lack of insurance compensation, forced him to invest two million into renovations.
Mentioning Emperor’s Pavilion, Song Yuting smiled, "I’ve been to that restaurant; their beef and seafood balls are particularly delicious."
Gu Xiangyi laughed, "That restaurant is owned by your old classmate, Xu Xiangbei. Unfortunately, it caught fire a while back and is currently being renovated. Once it’s ready, he should treat you all to a meal."
Xiao Qing looked at Xu Xiangbei with envy, "Dr. Xu, you own that restaurant? Remember to invite us once the renovation is complete."
Song Yuting secretly kicked Xiao Qing again, "Eat, stop letting food seal your mouth."
The whole table focused on eating, clinking glasses, and drinking, yet no one said much. The more silent it got, the more it seemed like an implicit acknowledgment, and Gu Xiangyi’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Gu Xiangyi pointed at Sun Ze, smiling as she asked Song Yuting, "Is this handsome guy your boyfriend?"
Song Yuting nodded, but Sun Ze looked nervously at Xu Xiangbei, fearing Xu Xiangbei’s wrath and quickly explained, "Actually, we’re in the same year but different classes. We only started dating recently, barely ordinary friends."
Song Yuting gave Sun Ze a strange look, not understanding what he meant. For the past two months, Sun Ze had been eager to progress their relationship, doing everything to please Song Yuting, even trying to win over her friend Xiao Qing by buying her clothes.
But now, Sun Ze insisted they were just ordinary friends. Song Yuting felt a bit annoyed, inwardly blaming Sun Ze for being two-faced, unaware of Xu Xiangbei’s intimidating prowess, which frightened Sun Ze as if he were facing a demon.
Gu Xiangyi, noticing Sun Ze’s fear of Xu Xiangbei, continued to provoke, "Have you two slept together?"
Suddenly, Xu Xiangbei spat out his drink, and Song Yuting choked on a grain of rice, struggling to cough it out.
Sun Ze was scared pale, quickly waving his hands at Xu Xiangbei, "No, we’re really just ordinary friends, just a peck on the lips, no French kiss."
Gu Xiangyi looked at Sun Ze with disdain, "If you’re pursuing her, just admit it. Why fear Xu Xiangbei? He’s not your rival in love; why would you be afraid of him?"
Pushed to this extent, Xu Xiangbei admitted, "Hehe, Xiangyi, you don’t know, but I secretly had a crush on Song Yuting back in high school, but those feelings have passed. We’re just classmates now."
Seeing Xu Xiangbei’s admission, Gu Xiangyi’s expression softened considerably, laughing, "Oh, you had a crush on her? I knew you had something hiding in your heart. With such a pretty classmate, it’s surprising if you didn’t have thoughts, right, Ting Ting?"
Blushing a bit at the praise, Song Yuting replied, "Like Xu Xiangbei said, the past is in the past. We’re just ordinary classmates now."
Gu Xiangyi laughed loudly, "Don’t worry, Xu Xiangbei and I are only ordinary friends. He’s my landlord, and I’m his tenant—not even as close as you old classmates."
Gu Xiangyi and Song Yuting exchanged smiles and clinked glasses. Relationships between women are strange; one moment, they’re rivals glaring at each other, and the next, they’re close as sisters.
Hearing Gu Xiangyi’s claim, Xiao Qing clapped her hands in delight, "You’re both just ordinary friends with him. Does that mean I can pursue him?"
